I don’t understand the problem here and in fact because the government hasn’t confronted these Muslims in a “salt the earth” attitude they will continue to attempt to eradicate Christians. Just as a normal person has the right to defend themselves against harm so should the Nigerian Christians protect themselves. What do you think?

While Boko Haram has been carrying out increasingly deadly attacks for months, including an August suicide bombing of UN headquarters in Abuja that left 25 dead, the Christmas violence sparked intense fear and outrage.

It also led to warnings from Christian leaders that they would defend themselves if such attacks continued, raising deep concern in a country roughly divided between a mainly Muslim north and predominately Christian south.

“Consequently, I have… declared a state of emergency in the following parts of the federation,” Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan said, listing parts of the states of Borno, where Boko Haram traditionally has its base, as well as Yobe, Niger and Plateau.

Earlier Saturday, he visited the church where the bloodiest Christmas attack occurred and branded Boko Haram a “cancerous” group bent on destroying Nigeria while vowing it would be crushed.

Jonathan said in a nationwide broadcast that “it has become imperative to take some decisive measures necessary to restore normalcy in the country especially within the affected communities.”

“Consequently, I have… declared a state of emergency in the following parts of the federation,” he said, listing parts of the states of Borno, where Boko Haram traditionally has its base, as well as Yobe, Niger and Plateau.